Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan are set to contest a crucial game, as both teams need points to stand a chance of progressing into the next stage.
Group E is proving a competitive force in this season’s Champions League. After four rounds of fixtures, no team seems guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds, with Chelsea leading the charts with 7 points. Behind them are RB Salzburg with 6 points, while AC Milan and Dinamo Zagreb are level with 4 points.
Each team stands an open chance to get to the next round, as a win on the fifth matchday is vital. Dinamo Zagreb will certainly hope for one against AC Milan, who have been slightly off form in the competition. The Croatian giants will consider their impressive home form when they face the Italians.
Zagreb beat Chelsea here and held Salzburg to an entertaining draw at the venue. Ante Cacic’s side have been in a different form at home, and that will be the case when they face Milan, with all three points considered a must for their survival.
Stefano Pioli will not look back fondly at the preceding results in the Champions League for inspiration. Chelsea were victorious against Milan in both legs. While they are rising in stature in Serie A, their continental form is of concern.
Milan will certainly take confidence from their sweeping victory over Monza at the weekend, but in Europe, Pioli has won just twice in 10 games. However, they have won each of their last five encounters with Dinamo Zagreb, including the 3-1 win at the San Siro this term.
Pioli knows the importance of a victory at this vital stage of the Champions League. With Chelsea and Salzburg playing each other, it may be a good opportunity to take second place at the end of the current match day.
Team News & Tactics
Dinamo Zagreb
Cacic will know the importance of a positive result at home and will name a strong lineup to continue the trend. The Zagreb boss will likely revert to a back three. Centre-back Bosko Sutalo is the only first-team star missing from action through injury.
FT 90'+8 Hajduk – Dinamo 1:1 (Petković) ⚽️💪🏻💙#dinamozagreb
📷 Pixsell pic.twitter.com/MGMp95H8mW
— GNK Dinamo (@gnkdinamo) October 21, 2022
With a near full squad at his disposal, Cacic will make the right changes, including a recall for Luka Ivanusec. The latter was rested at the weekend, as his inclusion will consign Martin Butrina to the bench. Captain Arijan Ademi will anchor the midfield.
Key striker Mislav Orsic will lead the line for Zagreb alongside Bruno Petkovic in the attack. As things stand, the home side will field their strongest possible side for the tricky fixture against Milan.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2) – Livakovic; Ristovski, Sutalo, Peric; Spikic, Ivanusec, Misic, Ademi, Ljubicic; Petkovic, Orsic
AC Milan
There’s still no respite for Pioli with injuries to key players in the squad. As many as six stars are missing from action, including Fikayo Tomori, who remains suspended following his red card against Chelsea in the previous round.
Rossonero recovery towards #GKNDACM 🔴⚫️#SempreMilan #UCL
Brought to you by @play_eFootball pic.twitter.com/ZV86EQQpQo— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 23, 2022
Alexis Saelamaekers, Mike Maignan, Alessandro Florenzi, Davide Calabria and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are the ones missing through injuries. Pioli is likely to make plenty of changes from the Monza win, with Simon Kjaer one of the returning players in the lineup.
He will have either Pierre Kalulu or Matteo Gabbia at the back. Pioli could also replace two-goal hero Brahim Diaz in the side, with Charles De Ketelaere coming in his place.
Similarly, Divock Origi may start on the bench in favour of a well-rested Olivier Giroud to lead the line against Zagreb. Pioli will also call on his midfield pairing, as he could bring in Tommaso Pobega instead of Sandro Tonali.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Gabbia, Kjaer, Hernandez; Bennacer, Tonali; Messias, De Ketelaere, Leao; Giroud
Key Stats
- AC Milan have scored at least 3 goals in their last 3 matches against Dinamo Zagreb in all competitions.
- AC Milan have won their last 3 matches against Dinamo Zagreb in all competitions.
- AC Milan have won all their previous 5 encounters with Dinamo Zagreb.
- Dinamo Zagreb are yet to lose a game in the Croatian league and remains unbeaten at home in this season’s Champions League.
- Dinamo Zagreb have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against AC Milan in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Simon Kjaer
Great to be back with a victory !💪
Thank you for super support – grazie👏🙏#SempreMilan🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/lQ2hwAsn0d— Simon Kjær (@simonkjaer1989) October 22, 2022
Having missed many months through injury, the Danish defender is finally back in the reckoning for Milan and their quest to qualify further. Pioli rates his centre-back to know what he brings to the table. The team has been missing leadership qualities at the back this term.
Kjaer will bring solidity at the back and become their defensive leader. That’s not the case with Tomori or Kalulu, as the Danish international’s presence, will let them learn a fair bit about him. If Milan dreams of going through, they will need their key centre-back at his best.
Prediction
Dinamo Zagreb 1-1 AC Milan
Zagreb are solid as ever at home and barely lets any team, irrespective of their quality, a sniff at the goal. On top of Milan’s mediocre form in the competition, their resilience could see the game end in a futile draw.
Both teams have the quality to edge each other, but going by Milan’s record this season in the Champions League, a win here looks difficult. As for Zagreb, they are resilient at home and may have a higher probability of winning this clash.
